« See All Events

In honor of Belleville’s Bicentennial, in 2014 the Belleville Historical Society will finally realize one of our earliest visions for our organization and the city: The Belleville Walk of Fame. With help from the city of Belleville and concrete donated by Upchurch Concrete, the Walk will be installed on the northwest quadrant of the Public Square, with an induction ceremony scheduled for Saturday, October 25 at 10 a.m.

The Walk of Fame will honor people who have made significant contributions to the history or renown of the city of Belleville. Five plaques will honor the 2014 inductees, and additional honorees will be added every two years. A separate project to install plaques on historically significant buildings in downtown Belleville will also commence later this year.

The goal of both projects is to make Belleville’s history visible to those who live here and visit. “All of this history happened right beneath our feet, and in and around these places we pass each day,” explains historical society president Larry Betz. “We want to make that history apparent and accessible. We’re doing this to serve Belleville’s current and future residents, just as much as to honor those in its past.”

The inaugural class of the Belleville Historical Society Walk of Fame inductees are George Blair, Ninian Edwards, Lyman Trumbull, Christian “Buddy” Ebsen and Bob Goalby. Belleville Mayor Mark Eckert will speak at the event, and historical society vice president David Cox will emcee.

Date: October 25, 2014
Time: 10 a.m.
Entry: Free and open to the public
Place: Belleville Public Square, northwest quadrant
Open in Google Maps »

Walk of Fame inductee and professional golfer Bob Goalby spoke at the dedication of the Belleville Walk of Fame in October 2014. “>Learn more about the Belleville Walk of Fame »